ADA - One of the most revered novels of the 20th century, Fahrenheit 451, will be brought to life by the Aquila Theatre Company on the Ataloa Stage, at East Central University’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center on March 6, 2014.

Tickets are $18 and may be purchased online at tickets.ecok.edu or at the box office the night of the show.

Written in 1953 by Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 is the tale of a bleak future where literature and knowledge are on the edge of extinction. The main character, Guy Montag, is a fireman with the job of starting fires to destroy books and the houses that contain them. When his eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, forces Guy to confront the emptiness of his life, he begins to question his job and the oppressive society he lives in.

Considered a work of science fiction when first published, Fahrenheit 451 has been debated for decades – issues of censorship, the effects of technology on society and literature, and the means by which knowledge is gained – continue to be concerns today.

With its skill at creating innovative and modern productions of great works of literature, the Aquila Theatre brings new life to Bradbury’s visionary parable of a society gone awry. The New Yorker describes Aquila’s productions as, “The classics made relevant with superb acting and clever staging,” while The New York Times exclaims, “The excellent Aquila Theatre, an extraordinarily inventive and disciplined outfit.”

The mission of Aquila Theatre is to make classical works accessible to the greatest number of people. Founded in London in 1991 by Peter Meineck, Aquila is now based in New York City. They are a major part of New York’s theatrical landscape, producing a regular season of plays. Aquila is also the foremost producer of touring classical theatre in the United States, visiting 60 – 70 American cities per year.

Aquila Theatre is dedicated to theatre arts education and will conduct a master class for students while at ECU.

Those who want to make it a dinner-and-show night can present their season ticket patron card and receive a 10 percent discount at Blue Moon Café, Chili’s Bar and Grill, Rib Crib, Santa Fe Cattle Co. and Vintage 22 on the night of the performance.

For more information about the performance, contact the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center Box Office, 580-559-5751 or visit tickets.ecok.edu. This event is sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council.

East Central University's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff, and communityinteract to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area,East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.